If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Try looking in the thickest brush, or the steepest ridges where no other hunters want to go. If the bucks are pressured, they seem to go to the places where no hunter would think about going, and/or want to. Get out in the field well before dawn, and hunt until dark.

Of course, there may not be any bucks in the are you are looking. In that case, look somewhere else. Like another state, because California sucks, or so I'm told.

A lot of different factors to your question TimH. Depends on where you are hunting, deer densities, buck to doe ratios, hunting pressure, time of year, limited entry, private land just to name a few. Some zones and areas are better than others here in California, some not as good. There are places I can go close to home here in a heavily populated area of almost a million people now in population in San Jose and see bucks every day, in meadows, draws, etc that you mentioned but the hunting pressure is pretty much non existent. Add hunting pressure, low buck to doe ratios and you will need to search a bit harder for those bucks.

I've been looking for deer in California and have only seen a few does. Anywhere special to look for bucks? Meadows, draws, etc.

From your information on your location you are from (Bakersfield), there are lots of great deer hunting areas EAST of you. Towards Walker Pass and north. Also up the Kern past Isabella towards Porterville. Also northeast in the Sierra foothills past private prop and in the Nat For. Bottom line is that you need to get out in the field and start looking. Call the game wardens and ask around in the gun shops ...good places to start. But nothing will take the place of you spending time in the field looking....and not just road looking, you'll need to do some hiking.

Colorado Cowboy
Cowboy Action Shooter; Endowment Life Member-NRA
The Original Rocket Scientist-Retired
"My Father always considered a walk in the mountains as the equivalent of church going."
Aldous Huxley

Hello TimH may i direct you to Official Post Padding Thread hang out there for a bit and help us talk about nothing and before you now it you will have many post under your belt and you gain respect i havent figured out how many points you need but it will help.
Welcome and i hope you find the help your looking for .
What zone are you looking to hunt?